The HSE is aware that anyone holding an Offshore Medic (OM), Offshore First Aid (OFA), Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) or First Aid at Work (FAW) certificate due to expire soon, is likely to experience difficultly accessing First Aid Requalification training as a result of the current Coronavirus pandemic.
The current HSE guidance on The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and the Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (First-Aid) Regulations 1989 is that anyone holding a OM, OFA, EFAW or FAW certification should attend requalification training well in advance of their certificate expiry date. However, if the certificate holder is prevented from attending requalification training due to reasons associated directly with Coronavirus or by complying with the relevant Government guidance, it is practical and reasonable to extend the validity of current certificates by up to 3 months.
Anyone wishing to take advantage of the certification extension should be able to clearly describe their reasons for delaying requalification training and demonstrate the steps which they have taken to undertake the training.
The 3-month extension comes into effect for certificates expiring on or after 16th March 2020, with the HSE due to review this extension over the coming months and will issue further statements when needed.
The Department for Education has introduced the same extension for all Paediatric First Aid certificates coming up for renewal on or after 16th March 2020.
An update from Surrey First Aid Training Ltd
Following the latest government advice to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), Surrey First Aid Training Ltd have decided to suspend all First Aid and Health & Safety training courses from March, with training courses planned to resume on 27th June, subject to the current conditions.